Running head: VULNERABLE POPULATION SUMMARY AND PROPOSED PROGRAM 1 Vulnerable Population Summary and Proposed Program Jennifer Hopes HCA430: Special Populations Michelle Clemons May 9, 2016 VULNERABLE POPULATION SUMMARY AND PROPOSED PROGRAM 2 Risk is defined as the possibility that someone could acquire an illness, in this case HIV/AIDS. Vulnerability is a persons ability in the community and individuals around to become infected. HIV/AIDS is a dangerous disease that essentially does not target a single gender, race, economic background or age group. It is a disease that is seen to be higher in some populations than others but not specifically with one group. HIV/AIDS increases in areas with conflict and inequality, poverty, and in areas with weak capacity for resources. Both men and women are susceptible and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection. The background, inequality, and gender put women at a greater risk of being infected. The lack of power women have in these communities and their socioeconomic inequality makes them a higher vulnerable group.The infection rate amongst African American women is twenty times higher than that of Caucasian women and four time higher than that of Hispanic or Latino women. It is seen that the highest rates of infection are in ethnic minority populations. African American men have the highest rate of infection among minority men at a rate of two-thirds of the population or sixty-four percent. Hispanics and Latinos have accounted for nearly one quarter of new diagnosis every year. Depending on cultural background it may increase the factors of infection in Hispanics and Latinos. These vulnerable populations typically do not go out and get testing, counseling, or treatment if infected because of stigma or fear of discrimination. Political factors have influed the way people look at HIV/AIDS since the beginning of a diagnosis. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, edication level, little or no health insurance, access to health insurance, and even language differences contribute to an HIV/AIDS infection. VULNERABLE POPULATION SUMMARY AND PROPOSED PROGRAM 3 “Domestically and internationally, HIV/AIDS is a disease that is embedded in social and economic inequity” (Perry, 1998). When there is a lack of socioeconomic resources there tends to be riskier behaviors regarding ones health and the health of others. HIV/AIDS can be seen as restricting regarding ones ability to work and earn and income since the effects of the disease is one that is both physical and mental. Groups that are unable to recognize or identify their political, econimic, and social rights become more vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. Although the HIV/AIDS risk factors are the same for every group, some gender and ethnic groups are affected more than others. This is because their population groups have higher rates of HIV/AIDS in their communities and therefore raising the risk of infection. Immediately following a diagnosis, many HIV/AIDS positive people are in a state of shock that can lead to confusion and depression. Denial is the most common after a diagnosis because the individual simply does not accept the diagnosis, they do not fully understand the implications of what a diagnosis means or it is a way for them to simply delay or not receive treatment. The health needs of those in particular communities with higher rates of HIV/AIDS need specific and specialized preventative care. In order to get the disease under control and minimize the spread we need to be preventative. Starting with awareness to the communities and helping them understand the disease and the spread of the disease. Issues surrounding the access to health care could explain the disproportionate number in ethnic minorities (Wilson & Yoshikawa 2007). Rual and urban communities will need similar health needs when it comes to screening, prevention, and treatment. Goals of new services provided are increase the access to care, reduce the number of new infections, and reduce HIV/AIDS related health disparities. It has been seen that current VULNERABLE POPULATION SUMMARY AND PROPOSED PROGRAM 4 prevention methods are reaching less that one in five people that are at risk of infection. The biggest challenge seen is to excelerate prevention methods and be able to reach the whole community. We will use public health advocates to collaborate and identify successful HIV/AIDS care delivery models. We will have patient advocates available to discuss prevention and diagnosis, case management to assist people along the way while receiving treatment, education and outreach centers in the community using volunteers if we cannot hire health care workers. Also developing a training program for providers to enhance their knowledge of the communities and the individuals affected so that we can ease the stigma that follows this particular disease. VULNERABLE POPULATION SUMMARY AND PROPOSED PROGRAM References American Psychological Associatio (2016) HIV/AIDS & Socioeconomic Status http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-hiv-aids.aspx Perry, M. J. (1998). Gender, race and economic perspectives on the social epidemiology of HIV infection: Implications for prevention. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 19, 97-104. Wilson, P. A., & Yoshikawa, H. (2007). Improving access to health care among AfricanAmerican, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations (pp. 607-637). Springer US. 5
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